Senate Resolution No. 1353

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING the Rome Free Academy Marching Band
upon the occasion of winning the 2018 Large School
Division 3 New York State Field Band Conference
Championship on October 18, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
dedication and commitment of our young people who distinguish themselves
through excellence in musical competition; and

WHEREAS, Music competition provides an opportunity for students to
exhibit their practical skills to an audience, thereby giving them a
sense of pride in their hard work and efforts; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate the Rome Free Academy Marching Band upon the occasion of
winning the 2018 Large School Division 3 New York State Field Band
Conference Championship; and

WHEREAS, Consisting of 74 members from grades 8-12, the Rome Free
Academy Marching Band, and a Color Guard, traveled to the Carrier Dome
in Syracuse, New York, on Sunday, October 18, to capture this monumental
victory; and

WHEREAS, When it was time to perform "Mirage," each and every member
of the Rome Free Academy Marching Band had in mind the goal of
representing themselves, their school and their community by performing
with the highest standard of excellence; and

WHEREAS, The Black Knights faced stiff competition from eight other
schools in their class to win their first Championship with an
incredible score of 83.25, beating the second place team by a very close
margin; and

WHEREAS, No marching band can succeed without outstanding talent
throughout its entire roster; such was the case for the 2018 Rome Free
Academy Marching Band whose members include: Drum Majors, Izabella
Rivera and Katie Dursi; flutes, Levia Hernandez, Megan Norris, Amity
Szatko, and Rowan Parker; piccolo, Kayleen Martelli; clarinets, Maria
Keeney, Madison Wolfe, Clarissa Burkhart, Avery Hildebran, Alexa Platis,
Aleena Rosario, and Madison Short; saxophones, Rafael Rivera, David
Salce, Gianna Kleber, Mallory Tikalsky, Olivia Bauer, Dennis Van Hoesel,
Mariah Taylor, Isabella Davis, and Nick Feretti; trumpets, Zoey
Fragapane, Anja Burkhart, Sven Van Hoesel, Enrique Rivera, Cooper
Englebert, and Alex Linderman; mellophones, Dominic Sleszynski and Jacob
Talbort; trombonists, Bethany Beeman, Joe Keeney and Jacob Cosentino;
euphonium, Zach Swistak; tuba, Giovanna Sudol, Ramzy Davis, and Alex
Zappavigna; percussion, Patrick O'Neil, Zach Filer, Deven Hosley, Emily
Worth, Chris Incorvaia, Hunter Pisaneschi, Christopher Cobb, Christian
Cobb, Antonio Cicci, Jimmy Pike, Erin Lennon, Alexus Lennon, Kevin
O'Neill, Mia Mirabelli, and Kenneth Davis; and

WHEREAS, Color Guard Captains are Adriana Beckwith, Kayla Bush, and
Kaitlin Flint; and Color Guard members include: Taylor Griffin, Tori
Wright, Myia Wright, Casey Hunziker, Hana Samad, Emily Brement, Becky
Worth, Rebecca Norman, Adelina Rivera, Elena Davis, Lily Fleming, Ally
Ferretti, Kayla Davis, Erika Rizzo, Kelly O'Neill, Hannah Morrison,
Kaylee Gazzilli, and Joe Gazzilli, with special assistance from Anthony
Coney; and

WHEREAS, The Rome Free Academy Marching Band's achievements stand as
a proud testament to the leadership of Director, Jake Meiss;
Superintendent, Peter C. Blake; Assistant Superintendent of Operations
and Management, Robert Mezza Jr.; Director of Fine Arts and Engineering
Technology, Andrea Falvo; Principal, Brian LeBaron; staff, Aaron Decker,
Mike Fenton, Anne Gannon, Nick Johnson, Jamie Mazur, Lindsay Mogle,
Melissa Rashford, and Keller Shelton; the hard work of its members and
the dedication of its parents, teachers, administration and
community-at-large, illustrating the spirit of excellence and
achievement which is the school's hallmark and tradition; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the members of the Rome Free Academy Marching Band, who positively
represent their school, who are role models to their classmates, who
exemplify the marching band's goal of continued excellence, and who have
brought great pride to their community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Rome Free Academy Marching Band;
Director, Jake Meiss and his aforementioned staff; Superintendent, Peter
C. Blake; Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Management, Robert
Mezza Jr.; Director of Fine Arts and Engineering Technology, Andrea
Falvo; and Principal, Brian LeBaron.